University of Alaska Fairbanks Athletics

LA MIRADA, Calif. — Alaskananooks.com presents the fourth entry of a daily student-athletes blog documenting the Alaska women's swimming team's trip to Southern California for the 2014 Pacific Collegiate Swimming and Diving Conference championships.
 
Throughout the week, different members of the Nanooks swimming team will share their thoughts and experiences on the trip. Fans can also check the other Alaska Nanooks social media outlets for updates and photos on the trip, including Twitter (@alaskananooks.com), Instagram (Alaska Nanooks) and Facebook (Alaska Nanooks).
 
In the blog's fourth entry, sophomores Eileen Audette (Seward, Alaska/Fisheries) and Linnea Doumas (Tucson, Ariz./Foreign Language), juniors Margot Adams (Anchorage, Alaska/Political Science) and Genevieve Johnson (Fresno, Calif./Fisheries), and freshman Nga Nguyen (Wiesbaden, Germany/Psychology) share some of their many adventures during the third day of competition at the PCSC championships, which also happened to be Valentine's Day:
 
Sophomore Eileen Audette (Breaststroke/Freestyle)
Soooo today was basically legendary.
 
While waiting days and days for Mark to place our Panera order, we made a discovery – The most important discovery in the world. Inside the CD player of our very own rental car was the greatest mixed CD in the history of the world.
 
It was pretty much a Persian belly dance/rap disk featuring artists like Jazzy B vs. Yo Yo Honey Singh. My personal favorite song is track 11, "This Party's Gettin' Hot." I must say, it's quite possible that the only reason I dropped two seconds in finals today was because I was just so pumped up from listening to the amazing bass lines of the mystery mixed CD.
 
This day will forever be remembered. Not only because our team took away three wins, but also because my life was changed by Jazzy B and the Yo Yo Honey Singh.
 
Sophomore Linnea Doumas (Backstroke)
I thought Panera got our orders right this time but...I didn't get a fork?  C'mon Panera, get it together. 
 
Today I swam my first individual events, the 400 IM and the 100 backstroke.  I dropped at least nine seconds in my 400 IM.  I can never decide if I like that event.  Tomorrow I'm swimming the 200 backstroke, which is my best event.  I hope I do better than the 100 today. Good luck tomorrow, everyone!
 
Junior Margot Adams (Butterfly/Freestyle/Backstroke)
Today was pretty awesome. There were some wins, and there were some not-wins. And that's ok! Everyone gave their best effort, and that's all that counts. Everyone's dinner was remembered this evening, AND the sophomores placed the sweetest valentines in our dinner bags! Totally made my night.
 
Junior Genevieve Johnson (Breaststroke/Buttefly/Individual Medley)
Funny story – Last night before the men's relay, a guy asked me if I'd be his valentine if his team won. I'm pretty sure they came in last place, but he swam a best time.
 
So this morning I gave my non-valentine a piece of chocolate because I felt kinda bad. At the end of the meet, I was running out when I spotted him by the gate. He asked "Would you like a kiss?" To which I promptly responded "No!" But then he pulled out a Hershey's Kiss. Happy Valentine's Day! :)
 
Freshman Nga Nguyen (Breaststroke)
Well… I really dare to say today was one of the most awesome race days for me and the team! We had so much fun competing and also cheered each other like big monkeys bawl!
 
And as if two individual conference champion titles for today were not enough, we also broke several varsity records for the second time in three days!
 
And just one funny thing:  We are by far the team with the least members of swimmers here at the PCSC championships and do really great. Additionally, we end up strong with a very tight win against the same universities as from our 200 medley relay two days ago.
 
Now I have to go on trying to finish the mountains of homework and then finally falling into bed to get my (our) well-deserved sleep!
 
I can only repeat again – I'm so glad to be part of such a strong team! Even though I've only been in this country for 1 1/2 months ;o)